"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Tuesday, February 7, 2023 - Day 38 - (Today’s Bible readings: Isaiah 50:1-11; Psalm 36; John 15:18-16:4)
FACE TO FACE—IN CHURCH
“I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.” (3 John 14 ESV)
John is writing to Gaius, a faithful layman. He expresses his care for Gaius, body and soul. At the end of this one-chapter letter, John states that he could write more, but that he prefers to speak to Gaius face to face.
Dear friends, this is precisely the opportunity you have every time you enter your church. Almighty God wants to “see” you too. He is planning to come to you in His Word as it is read, proclaimed and reflected in the hymns and songs of the Divine Service. He will forgive all your sins as He speaks to your through the pastor. And then, in the Lord’s Supper, Jesus will come face to face with you as you are offered His true body and blood.
Yes, it is true, the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is planning to meet you face to face this coming weekend.
God Himself is present:
Let us now adore Him
And with awe appear before Him.
God is in His temple;
All within keep silence;
Humbly kneel in deepest rev'rence.
He alone on His throne
Is our God and Savior;
Praise His Name forever!
(God Himself is Present, Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #907, stanza 1)
Thank you, almighty God, for promising to meet every time I attend church. Please bless me with a heart-felt response to Your call to repent and believe. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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